Then let them offer their loyalty!

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Even Tang's secretary, who had always had a cold expression, and Tang's security guards all showed genuine smiles and enthusiasm when they saw Tang Feifei.

Seeing this scene, the group felt a pang of envy once again.

It has to be said that the biggest dividing line between people is amniotic fluid.

They went to great lengths to get close to Old Tang, but to Tang Feifei, he was just an "old man" she saw often.

Some people are born as mules and horses, while others are born in Rome...

And so, the three advisors continued their research and observations for more than ten hours.

It wasn't until the early hours of the next day that they finally came to a conclusion: the "Yellow Demon" was indeed an incredibly unique creature.

Unless they allow you to touch or see them, you simply cannot touch, see, smell, or even sense them.

If it weren't for the special catastrophic artifact that actually detected the faint yet somewhat strange soul fluctuations within the "Soul Shackles," the three councilors would probably have genuinely suspected that Qiu Tu had created an illusion for them...

Having confirmed that "Huang Mei" truly exists and is imprisoned in the "Soul Shackles" altar, Tang Lao's purpose for coming here was considered one-third complete.

The second task, as requested by the council, was to gather as much information as possible about the "Lord of the Region" from Tang Feifei.

Tang Lao didn't need to ask himself, so he simply summoned Tang Feifei, and a special team came to communicate with her and gather intelligence.

As for the third one...

"Shangzong, the results are in. If you don't have anything else to do, you can go back to work in the prefecture."

"I've heard your plan. As for the specifics, I need to go back and discuss it with Lao Pang and the others. I'll give you an answer in a couple of days."

"Yes, Elder Tang." Huang Shangzong remained very polite and humble in front of Elder Tang.

After saying goodbye to Mr. Tang, he got up and left the office, leaving Mr. Tang and Qiu Tu alone.

Seeing that no one else was in the office, Old Tang stood up and then invited Qiu Tu, "Director Qiu, would you like to take a walk with me?"

Qiu Tu, of course, couldn't possibly disagree, so he quickly got up and led the way.

After walking around the rooftop garden on the 12th floor with Mr. Tang for two hours, Mr. Tang finally stopped and looked at the rising sun, asking, "Qiu Tu... do you like Fei Fei?"

Upon hearing Tang Lao's words, Qiu Tu was speechless for a moment.

Do you like Tang Feifei...?

To be fair, Qiu Tu really did like Tang Feifei. But... he liked himself even more.

Moreover... to be honest, he didn't believe that someone of Tang Lao's status would specifically send Huang Shangzong away just to ask a question about matters of personal feelings...

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Two chapters, 10,000 words each, please vote with monthly tickets.

Chapter 417 Qiu Tu: Yes, I am the Lord of the Region (10,000 words, please vote for me)

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's mind raced as he pondered how to answer the question.

Admit you like him?

Qiu Tu believed that... given Tang Lao's status, Tang Lao should know his character very well, so lying would be pointless.

Say you don't like it?

What's the difference between this and a blatant jerk?

So, after considering it for a moment, he said with a serious expression, "Mr. Tang, I really like Feifei."

"but...."

“We are all very rational people. We know that now is not the time for sentimentality; there are more important things waiting for us to do.”

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Old Tang chuckled and said, "You've got a good way of talking, kid."

"You're so rational, aren't you? Are you sure Fei is rational too?"

Qiu Tu: .....

To be honest, Qiu Tu also felt that Tang Feifei seemed to be getting more and more obsessed lately.

The two initially played a game of "cat and mouse," which later evolved into a "rich woman and gigolo" dynamic. But now... they're genuinely starting to feel like a community of shared interests or even a romantic relationship.

Even on many occasions, Qiu Tu could see the love for him in Tang Feifei's eyes.

This is a dangerous sign.

In an originally open relationship, whoever falls in love first loses.

Thinking of this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but hesitate: So... did Old Tang realize this and then come to give me a warning?

Is the number two person in the shelter so free?

Would they care about their granddaughter's romantic relationship?

The more Qiu Tu thought about it, the more he felt there was something wrong.

But... now that the elders are using this topic to pressure him, he, as the younger generation, has no choice but to listen.

So Qiu Tu gave an awkward smile and said, "Feifei hasn't really been focusing on work lately."

Qiu Tu's words were a tacit admission that Tang Feifei was starting to fall for him.

Seeing Qiu Tu's candor, Old Tang nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Then, with his hands behind his back, he gazed at the New Territories struggling in the harsh winter and said softly, "I remember your parents are no longer here, are they?"

Upon hearing Tang Lao's words, Qiu Tu was slightly taken aback, then replied, "Yes."

Old Tang gave a deep "hmm" and said, "Then come over to my house for a visit during the Spring Festival this year. Let's have a New Year's Eve dinner together."

"After the New Year, some of my students from various departments of the shelter and from various states will come to visit me. You can meet them then and get to know each other."

Upon hearing Tang Lao's words, Qiu Tu's mind suddenly sharpened.

Old Tang spoke with remarkable ease, as if continuing the previous conversation about everyday matters and discussing meeting during the New Year.

But... it's all the same, but the way ordinary people celebrate the New Year is very different from how important people do it.

Someone of Tang Lao's status, who would be invited to his home for the Chinese New Year, must be someone of extraordinary status.

Let alone spending the New Year at his home, even if someone were to visit him during the New Year, it would definitely be a big shot like Guo Huai, who is just one step away from becoming the vice speaker.

Now, they're inviting Qiu Tu to their home for the Lunar New Year, and after the holiday, they'll even introduce Qiu Tu to other high-ranking and key figures from the "Fengtian Clique"...

This is clearly a case of cultivating Qiu Tu as the core.

What is this doing?

Recruiting me...?

Or does he really consider himself a grandson-in-law?

If things don't work out between me and Tang Feifei in the end, wouldn't the Tang family have wasted their time and effort?

Moreover... my current development momentum is already quite good, do I need to brand myself with the "Fengtian Clique" label?

At that moment, just as Qiu Tu was thinking this...

Perhaps Qiu Tu had been thinking for a little too long, because Old Tang turned around and looked at him with sharp eyes.

In that instant, Qiu Tu felt as if he had been completely seen through, and the hairs on his body stood on end.

He was about to explain when Old Tang shook his head slightly and said, "You... you scheme too much. You think too much."

"When you're in a low position, this is a good thing. But when you're in a high position, it's likely to take up too much of your energy."

"At the higher levels, there may indeed be some factional struggles, but more often than not, it's about sincere cooperation to develop the shelter together."

At this point, Old Tang paused, then added, "If I'm not mistaken, you should already be at the fourth level, right?"

Upon hearing Tang Lao's words, Qiu Tu couldn't help but shudder.

Although Old Tang's words were a question, they were spoken with an affirmative tone.

Therefore, after a moment's consideration, Qiu Tu finally admitted it.

He nodded and hummed in agreement.

Old Tang then asked, "And he has already become the ruler of the region?"

Qiu Tu: .....

Qiu Tu felt as if he didn't have many secrets from this old man.

He tried to hide the truth, saying, "Yes... it's all thanks to Fei Fei."

It means that Tang Feifei helped him become the regional lord, and he is the second regional lord.

But at this moment, Old Tang chuckled, his sharp eyes looking at Qiu Tu as if he saw through everything.

He said calmly, "I know better than anyone how capable Feifei is. I also know better than anyone how cunning she is."

"It's not that I don't trust the feelings between you."

"But... even if she disregards the family's interests and insists on helping you become the regional lord and a fourth-tier Cataclysm, she will definitely inform the family first."

"This is a basic respect for family members."

Qiu Tu was about to speak.

Old Tang seemed to have seen through everything, and said, "Since you are the second regional lord..."

"So the area under our control must be the 'Bright Moon Region,' right?"

"After all, the only evil god to fall recently is Xie Yue."

"A regional lord should stay within their own region to fully utilize their strength. So... how about I transfer you to 'Langyue City'?"

Qiu Tu: .....

Old Master Tang had already made his point so clear, so Qiu Tu could no longer hide it. So he lowered his head and said, "Grandpa is amazing. I didn't expect you to see through all my little schemes."

Seeing that Qiu Tu had finally stopped pretending, Old Tang's expression softened.

He steered the conversation back to the previous topic, saying, "You are a fourth-tier Cataclysm and also a regional lord."

"In addition, their abilities and strengths are quite remarkable."

"As the vice-chairman of the shelter, is it alright for me to give you a proper promotion?"

"If you can truly lead Dongye Prefecture, and even the shelter, to create a new situation, then I can say that I have found a pillar of strength for the future of the shelter."

"Personally... you and Feifei have feelings for each other, so we might very well become a family."

"Even if you and Feifei don't end up together, there's still some lingering affection between you."

"If our Tang family, or the 'Fengtian Clique,' ever fall on hard times, you can lend a helping hand."

"So... it's just a New Year's Eve dinner, just paving the way for you. Don't be too sensitive about it."

Tang's words were completely inconsistent with his status as the number two figure in the shelter; in fact, they were... a bit too frank and straightforward.

This is extremely rare in officialdom.

But the more this was the case, the more Qiu Tu knew that Old Tang was giving him some pointers.

So he had no other ulterior motives and bowed deeply, saying, "Grandpa, I've learned a lot."

Old Tang hummed in agreement, then looked at the bright red sunrise on the horizon and commented, "Whether it's the shelter or Dongye Prefecture, there are some people who don't like you."

"I think you're too scheming."

"Some things were done too thoroughly, too extremely."

"But...they ignored your background and origins."

"If you come from the bottom, how can you possibly gain a foothold in this world if you don't work hard and be ruthless?"

"But... this isn't your fault, it's the world's fault. In this chaotic world, without this last breath, you might not even be alive now."

"However..." Old Tang changed the subject, saying, "The higher you go, the more upright you must be in your actions. Use more overt strategies and fewer covert ones, and cultivate your character."

"Furthermore, you should also pay attention to your relationship with your superiors."

At this point, Old Tang paused, then carefully added, "Huang Shangzong does have some minor issues, but overall, he's not a bad person."

"Although he has always been a headache when it comes to judging people, he is an expert in both military and economic matters."

"Moreover, he is very powerful and can suppress border disputes."